Stay on target

YouTube is cracking down on misinformation with a major initiative: The service said it will stop recommending videos that contain false content and conspiracy theories.

On Friday, YouTube announced its recommendations system update in a blog post, which promised to reduce the spread of misinformation online. These changes, which will apply to U.S. YouTube videos this year, will enable YouTube users to enjoy digital content without spammy footage.

A few years ago, YouTube users complained about clickbait videos, which prompted the platform to focus on viewer satisfaction instead of page views, dislikes, and surveys. Plus, YouTube users were also frustrated with receiving too many similar recommendations. YouTube said it curates more than 200 million video recommendations on its home page, and it plans to build up on this progress moving forward.

This year, YouTube aims to minimize content that comes close to violating its community guidelines, which means that it will begin decreasing recommendations of content that might misinform users, including videos that claim the Earth is flat and videos that support hoax cures for illnesses.

These changes will only apply to a small percentage of U.S. YouTube videos, however, YouTube wants to create a better online experience for its users. It plans to roll out the updated recommendation system to more nations over time.